The Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod) has announced the opening of applications for new Jewellery and Fabrication Licences and Refinery Licences, as part of ongoing efforts to formalize Ghana’s gold value chain under the Ghana Gold Board Act, 2025 (Act 1140).
The new licensing framework, which takes effect immediately, is designed to enhance regulatory oversight, promote value addition, and boost transparency in the country’s downstream gold industry.
A statement issued in Accra on Wednesday October 22, 2025, GoldBod announced that all existing licences previously issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources for gold refining and jewellery fabrication are no longer valid under the new law.
The Board has therefore directed all existing operators to regularize their operations by December 31, 2025, or risk prosecution.
Engaging in gold refining, jewellery manufacturing, or fabrication without a valid GoldBod licence after that date constitutes a criminal offence under the Gold Board act, Act 1140.
“This process forms part of GoldBod’s broader mandate to formalize downstream gold value addition, enhance compliance, and promote sustainable growth within the industry,” the statement said.
Licensing Categories and Eligibility
The newly opened licences cover four categories, A to D.
Category A: For Ghanaian sole proprietors and small-scale jewellery businesses producing for local sale.
Category B: For fully Ghanaian-owned medium-scale manufacturers producing for both local and export markets.
Category C: For large-scale local and foreign companies engaged in fabrication for local sale and export.
Category D: Refinery Licence for companies seeking to operate gold refineries in Ghana.
Online-Only Application
GoldBod emphasized that all applications must be submitted online via its official website, www.goldbod.gov.gh.
Manual or in-person submissions will not be accepted.
Applicants are advised to carefully review eligibility requirements, documentation checklists, and fee schedules available on the portal before submitting their applications.
The process requires applicants to:
1. Create or log in to a GoldBod account.
2. Select the relevant licence category and upload all required documents — including business registration, KYC, beneficial ownership details, tax and SSNIT clearance, and evidence of operational readiness.
3. Pay the prescribed fees through approved electronic channels.
Applicants will receive automated updates on their application status and interview schedules via email and their GoldBod accounts.
Deadline and Contact Information
The Board reiterated that the December 31, 2025 deadline is non-extendable, urging all refineries, fabricators, and jewellers to comply promptly to avoid penalties.
